captions paid for by nbc-universal television hey, everybody. welcome, welcome, it's boozeday tuesday, july 24th. and apparently national margarita today. or tequila. that's what it is. >> it doesn't matter. >> cheers.

>> cheers to you. >> this is a blackberry margarita. >> is it? >> blackberry, sugar, salt, lime juice, tequila. >> delicious. >> so what are we going to do about miss madonna? >> madonna's concerts have made the headlines because one time she flashed her -- yeah. then she showed her -- now she is apparently in scotland. in her concert she uses fake guns as props. >> right. during one of the numbers. >> okay. this isn't actually from her concert but this is the idea of what she does. >> not just her, but it's her backup singers. >> right. i guess the concert organizers asked her in light of what happened in colorado and other things not to use the fake weaponry. >> out of respect for the victims of the massacre. >> yes. and we have a quote from somebody. >> we don't believe it was from liz, her official -- >> but a member of the staff told the huffington post --

her entire career she has fought against people telling her what she can and cannot do and she is not going to start listening to them now. >> so we'd love to know what you think. >> they say it's part of her art. >> i understand the whole artistic concept that you want freedom, but at the same time we are all on this planet together. she talks a lot about peace and talks about through her kabala loving one another. sometimes you have to put your own personal will down for the greater good of the planet and other people. regardless of what you think of her as an artist, she is still a human being. a lot of people are grieving very, very much. the best -- i think the best statement you can ever make is one of love. love people by saying, i want to do this, but i'm not going to do this today because i love those people. love is always the greatest statement any of us can make. >> we are waiting for a statement from liz rosenberg. >> whom we love.

>> we adore her. >> how does she get a good night's sleep. i'm sure she is just answering phones all the time. madonna is in krakow right now. she showed her crack in krakow. >> it seems she is amping it up at each concert so something will capture headlines. >> i don't think it's doing her any good, do you? >> there are a million blogs, but a lot of people are saying she used to be provocative. and some people are saying it sort of went to pathetic. >> no artist wants to be pathetic. i'm sure many of her die-hard fans would totally disagree. >> of course, yes. >> and we would love to know what you think. how many likes do we have now, hodi? >> oh, let's get our stupid things out again. we need more likes. >> this is called shameless plug. >> our feelings are hurt a little. here is the thing. the "today" show -- we are part of the "today" show obviously. >> they don't like to think of

us as part of their show. >> the first three hours have a million likes. we don't have a million. >> we almost have half of that though. >> we had on wednesday 388,976. but that number changed has dramatically. >> because of you. you like us, you really -- never mind. that didn't work for sally field. nobody should ever do that again. >> where are we, sara? >> we are actually up to 418,000. we need people to go to our page. >> explain it again. >> it's facebook/klg&hoda or if you search on facebook it's kathie lee and hoda. >> wait. you're losing everybody. go to facebook and what do you put in the space? >> you put kathie lee and know how to spell her name it's i-e. >> hello! >> how long have we been here? then there is a like button. click on that. that's all we ask.

>> you know who's clicking on it? dawn from pittsburgh. this is what she says. >> a woman, dawn. >> she says, i'm watching now and howling. i just liked you on facebook. i hope it helps. of and what does eric say? if you only knew how much i could explain how much i like the fourth hour. >> god bless him. i'm so grateful he put his drink down long enough to contact us. and valerie holt, i like your facebook page. what else can i do to help you girls get the word out there? >> thank you, sweetie. we appreciate it so much. >> apparently big pay day for miss mariah carey. >> she hit the jackpot. she's been announced as the new judge for "american idol." we are wondering how much these judges make. they always have numbers thrown out there and no one knows if it's true. we don't even know if this is true. but say it. >> "us weekly" is saying she is getting paid $18 million. >> a year. j. lo made a paltry $12 million for her first year.

>> but the trouble we hear, and she made $15 this past, the trouble is now britney has just been paid $16 million for the "x factor." miss mariah can't take less than britney. she has more number one hits. >> that's unbelievable. these shows are huge money-makers. i get why they have to pay the judges. even though the numbers are down, they're still humongous numbers for those shows. >> i'm still voting for aretha franklin. >> that's what we've been saying from the very beginning. >> and randy jackson is staying, right? >> we understand he wants to be a mentor. i say run, randy, run. buy a beautiful island in the south pacific. enjoy yourself. >> we have some disturbing news. it looks like there are people allergic to wine. >> this is tragic. >> we hate to have sad news on our show. a new study says almost 25% of

people are. that's when you take a sip of wine and experience your skin getting flushed, your nose starts running, you feel itchy. something is happening. they say red wine more than white. >> because skins are used in the making of red wine. here's the thing. i think it could be pesticides. i loved cherries my entire life but now i can't eat cherries. cherries didn't change what we do to make cherries beautiful. even washing all you can. >> i think you're right. >> because maybe it's something like that because why would the good lord above make you allergic to something so good? >> it sure doesn't. we like to read "the new york times" on sundays. some of us. there is a social cues column. our friend phil galona. there was an issue that says -- "last summer my husband and i took our teenage sons and their two friends to a condo we rented in the mountains for a week. we bought the groceries and ate.

we had our great time and our sons asked us to take the same trip this year. would it be okay to ask the parents of the boys to chip in for groceries?" let's say $100. they didn't offer anything last year and it cost at least that much to feed the hungry boys. >> i think it's totally fine to do that. the expectation is when you invite someone as a guest that you're going to take care of all the expenses. but in today's world, very few people can take care of their own family much less everybody else. i think, as long as it's understood up front. we would love to take you guys again this year, but times are tougher than last year. we would like you to help with the groceries. we'll still have a great time. i think it's totally fair to do that. >> i do. i can see where people would be cringing thinking, i hate to ask someone for money. you hope people would just offer up. >> it's better than later being resentful of people because they made no effort to help. >> phil says it is fine to ask

for money to help for food. ask for the financial help up front when you invite the guests. don't do after because then it's weird. >> not after ever. >> guess who is coming on our show? emily giffin. >> you love her. >> i love her. this is called "where we belong." if you want a great book, these are great. she's written "something blue, something borrowed." she is great. >> you dressed for her book today. >> what do you mean? >> you matched it perfectly. i went to see a show last night i have to highly, highly recommend to you. i've not seen a whole lot of theater because i'm so busy on mine. my friends richard maltby and david sheer more than 20 years ago had something on broadway called "closer than ever." it's two guys and two women. they sing brilliantly about friendships and love and everything that goes -- trying to mature into that place where you're an adult and all of that. i saw it over 20 years and saw it again last night. it's at the york theater.

it's at the york theater. richard was there, david came by. first network special i did i was seven months pregnant. there is the cast right there. i was seven months pregnant with cassidy. it was a mother's day special. there's richard maltby. i had such respect for these two guys i said would you be my musical directors on my special? we go way, way back. i was secretly saying i hope this is as wonderful as i remember it. >> you loved it? >> it's so great. it's been extended -- check online, but i think through the end of august. it's for smart people. there's lyrics. there is no hey, goofy, goofy, uh-huh, it's intelligent, lyrics, beautiful melodies and great performances. none of that gonna call the p o popo, nobody's going to call the

po-po at "closer than ever." >> you done? we are having a fun show friday because the opening ceremonies, how exciting, of the olympics are coming up. i cannot wait to see what they have cooked up. matt got to see a run-through but wasn't allowed to reveal any part of it. after china -- >> how can they top it? >> look at this wonderful spot. while the opening ceremonies are going on there, out here on the plaza -- >> do you notice a lot of our people are in london? they left behind the people totally unnecessary. >> bottom line is we are doing our show outside on friday. >> yes. >> at 8:00. >> be here at 7:30. >> dress up if you want to in your olympic regalia. it's going to be a lot of fun. have we done everything we feeded to? >> i think so. >> meet this darling boy

downstairs. peter cincotti and his sister that wrote a musical that is about chlorine. he has to explain to you. tony danza is with him. >> checking out the wine, kathie lee. >> it's national tequila day. is he talking to us? >> they're talking. >> speaking of cute, but has matt lauer ever looked sexier than he did today? >> hoda was lusting in the make-up room. we'll check everything out after this. and lunesta can help you get there, like it has for so many people before. when taking lunesta, don't drive or operate machinery until you feel fully awake. walking, eating, driving, or engaging in other activities while asleep, without remembering it the next day, have been reported. abnormal behaviors may include aggressiveness, agitation, hallucinations or confusion. in depressed patients, worsening of depression, including risk of suicide, may occur.

alcohol may increase these risks. allergic reactions, such as tongue or throat swelling, occur rarely and may be fatal. side effects may include unpleasant taste, headache, dizziness and morning drowsiness. ask your doctor if lunesta is right for you. then find out how to get lunesta for as low as $15 at lunesta.com. there's a land of restful sleep. we can help you go there on the wings of lunesta. [ girl voice ] it's yummy avocado. a superfood. [ boy voice ] will it give me super strength? [ girl voice ] will i be able to fly?! i want to fly! can i have some? listen! it's supergood and it's super-mine. [ male announcer ] get your own subway turkey with avocado! it's avocado season, only at subway. ♪ any day can have a magnum mini moment. magnum ice cream, now in a mini size. new magnum mini. now in a mini size. another cup of coffee? how long is this one going to last? forty-five minutes? an hour?

well... listen. 5-hour energy lasts a whole lot of hours. take one in the afternoon, and you'll feel alert and energized 'til the cows come home. it's packed with b-vitamins and nutrients to make it last. so what's it going to be, partner? 5-hour energy. wise choice. 5-hour energy. hours and hours of energy. it's the breakout hit of 2012. i got this wrong before, new york music theater festival. it's got everything, love, lust and tony danza. it. >> oh, yeah. >> it's called "how deep is the ocean" and an environmentally friendly love story about a pool guy competing with his lival for the heart of a woman they both love. >> the sold-out performances is coming back to the stage for two more performances. singer/actor and dancer tony danza and the award-winning musician peter cincotti.

he wrote the music. >> lyrics are by your sister. he wrote the book. get this straight. >> are you talking? >> what do you do in this play? >> i have one number. i'm a friend. i live around the corner. we hang out together so i look good. he said to me one day he wrote this show about a pool man and chlorine. >> and the healing benefits of chlorine. >> it ends up being a very original idea. it's fun. by the way, salud. >> it's actually tequila day, national. >> tell us how it happened. >> he wrote a number for me. i have one number in the second act. >> it's too bawdy for you to sing for us today. >> it's called "it's part of growing balls." it's a little much. >> is there a little bit you can do? >> is there a clip? >> we have nothing. it's all in london.

>> but we've got wine. >> we've got a clip. ♪ >> you can't say "sack?" >> is that whoo what you said? >> yeah, "grow a sack." >> well, you said it now. >> it's like i said something else there. >> better publicity. >> help out, peter. >> i got one number in the show, that's all i got, i swear. >> tell us what happened. tony was saying he is like the surprise guest. i said are you sure you want to give that away, but you only have two more performances.

>> i'm in the audience. >> but people get mad at you, start heckling you. >> in the second act, rob sings a song about how much his wife means to him and how he'll do anything to have her. she is more important than chlorine or anything else and fame. >> wow. >> then he sits down and stops. so i let it settle for a couple of seconds. so people get uncomfortable. then i yell out, are you kidding me? are you serious? >> from the audience? >> from the audience. people get crazy. my daughter was with me the first night. she didn't know. dad, what are you doing? don't embarrass an 18-year-old. >> we've got to get to peter. you put this whole thing together. >> my sister is the nut who came up with the chlorine idea. >> there we are, the three of us. that is pia. she is unbelievable. look, look, not everybody carries -- i'm like a groupie. >> what is it about his music you love so much? >> he's different. when i see him play the piano, it's like watching somebody do

something really special. >> it's a bromance. >> a little bit. look, he signed it. >> guys, thank you. >> i brought two for you, too. >> we wish you all the best. >> and he's straight and he writes all this stuff. when he was 25 years old he wrote a line in a song called "the country life." and it says, "i want to smell the roses of our love the day they bloom." when i was 25 i was thinking something else. that's all i'm going to say. >> we love you guys. thank you. >> thank you. next, sara gets herself into a pic manhattan's lowerest side. [ bass thudding ] [ beads rattling ]

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with no annual contract required. for just $99.99 a month for a year, you'll get a fios triple play and our whole home solution, including a high-speed wireless router, plus a new multi-room dvr and hd set top box free for six months. upgrade to fios. no annual contract means now there's no reason to wait. call 1.888.get.fios. contact the verizon center for customers with disabilities welcome to life on fios. at 800-974-6006 tty/v. it is time now for "sara in the city" when sara bravely explores every nook and cranny of the big apple. >> she headed downtown and got the number on the guy who pickles the cucumbers.

>> manhattan's lower east side once known as the pickle district had 40 speciality pickle shops lining the streets. some are still standing. we decided to find out what pickling is all about. the pickle guys are relished for their crunchy pickles and juicy personalities. >> pickling is a process we use to preserve vegetables, pickle in sugar, salt or vinegar. what we do is most of our products are pickles made the old-fashioned way, just done in salt water. that's called brine. >> how long does it take to pickle something? >> new pickles are 1 to 10 days old, 1/2 hour is three weeks old, 3/4 is one month old. >> this is one of my favorites from when wii was little. cut the pickle. tickle tickle!

>> the pickle guys specialize in all things pickles. >> we pickle fruits, mangos and pineapples, olives, hot peppers, tomatoes, okra. >> but the biggest deal of all, the pickle itself. that's a great pickle. >> we started off making brine. >> just water? >> just water. >> and this is a board. >> that is our stirring stick. this is salt. >> do you guys have problem with blood pressure? >> only when i get home at night. these are kirby cucumbers. ready? >> yep. whoa! >> beautiful. >> thank you. i'm pickling! not quite. we still had to add the garlic. it's like a vampire's nightmare. >> spread it out. there you go. >> and this specially blended pickle spices. >> push it all together. >> i don't think we have enough of the brine. >> you got plenty of brine there.

put a cover on there. that goes in the fridge. >> got it. >> go for it. you said you could do it. >> i can do it. my feet aren't really connecting with the ground right now. then i graduated to working behind the barrels. >> little squeeze, make sure they're firm. >> let me try this. soon made a few friends. i just made a barrel of those. they're in the back. >> you did a good job. >> spicy. >> spicy like you. hot like a pistol. >> whoa! >> i had a feeling my new friends may be familiar with a few of my old friends. what kind of pickle people do you think kathie lee would be versus hoda? >> kathie lee 1/2 sour and hoda full sour. >> really? >> straight in, full sour.

>> both feet in the brine. >> i'm with you. >> after a long day of pickling, it was time to celebrate with team bonding. get in there, pickle people. one, two, three, pickles! you'll be happy to know the pickle guy ships nationwide. regular customers place weekly mail orders to get their pickle fix. i brought in a few samples for you to try. >> i've already begun. >> these olives are good, too. >> i can't believe the garlic. >> most shocked by the fruit. it was my favorite part. >> i don't think so. i'll have one of these. from new york to great britain, madelyn puts us to the english food test. [dumbfounded] well, we... doesn't last long does it? listen. 5-hour energy lasts a whole lot of hours. so you can get a lot done without refills. it's packed with b-vitamins and nutrients to make it last. so don't just stand there holding your lattes, boys.

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until you feel fully awake. walking, eating, driving, or engaging in other activities while asleep, without remembering it the next day, have been reported. abnormal behaviors may include aggressiveness, agitation, hallucinations or confusion. in depressed patients, worsening of depression, including risk of suicide, may occur. alcohol may increase these risks. allergic reactions, such as tongue or throat swelling, occur rarely and may be fatal. side effects may include unpleasant taste, headache, dizziness and morning drowsiness. ask your doctor if lunesta is right for you. then find out how to get lunesta for as low as $15 at lunesta.com. there's a land of restful sleep. we can help you go there on the wings of lunesta. we are back with more of "today" and "today's trend." we are singing the summer blues from cute little skirts, there are so many ways to fit denim in your wardrobe.

>> here to help anyone flaunt denim at any age is "today" style editor and bobbie.com, bobbie thomas. >> i'm excited to show you how to wear these. >> who can still wear those? >> i don't know. >> there is a crotch in, right? >> there actually is one. this is when you know they are too short when the pockets show. these are for sale. >> you're kidding me. a lot of labor goes into ruining those. >> i thought maybe for your vacation. >> thank you. >> there's been such a spotlight on denim in hollywood. we have pictures of trend setters. we have carrie underwood. rihanna rocking the studs. jeremy scott's "runway" with the fringe. there is every fashion for it, but there is a sweeter side to denim that i love. these long sweeping skirts and

you see this mulberry retro button down skirt. i have the jean vest on and we'll show you how to pull it off. >> let's bring out nan cicy andr daughter brielle. >> both ladies did it great. >> cut-offs are something in your 20s it's the easiest thing to throw on. brielle has a great boho style look going. it's on trend. that doesn't mean you can't wear jean shorts in a sophisticated way. nancy's pair are $14 and they come with the belt at j.c. penney. if you put a white button down blouse, it goes with anything. instantly adds sophistication, the wedge. it's a grown-up way to wear your denim shorts. >> you're right. >> you don't have to do the bermuda length but i like the longer length with the roll.

it's not dowdy. it's very in vogue. >> so charming. >> home run, two of them. >> marina is next. this is the skirt look. >> i like these denim a-line skirts that are back in. keira knightley, eva mendes so many are bringing back this retro skirt. i couldn't believe the price. this is only $11. >> oh, good grief. >> this skirt is a great thing to grab for the end of summer. the blouse is the trick to dressing up the denim. get something that is chiffon or floral and dress it up. if you want an effortless look, a plain white t-shirt would look stunning with denim. >> what's prettier in summertime? >> this is something we see every summer with denim. this year we are seeing more styles like the denim skirt. >> darling. >> thank you. >> all right. lastly we have chastity. >> chastity is gorgeous in this chambray dress.

this is a lighter weight fabric that looks like denim. in the heat, look for this to get the denim look. this is a great line for full-figured ladies and covers your curves. we have edna in our studio. >> edna is doing make-up this week. >> she didn't plan this, but this is one of our most talented make-up artists on the show. we love you. >> and stylish. >> and modest. >> you really always wear things that are on trend. it's such an adorable way to pull off a dress you might think is for a younger person, but anyone can wear this. >> thank you, edna. >> bobbie, we love you, too. got a kid about to check into a dorm? ways to keep it clean. or at least smelling that way if you're not around. every year we pick a new city to explore. but thanks to hotwire, this year we got to take an extra trip.

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back to school day and dorm room defense. whether you have a child checking into a campus dorm or his or her first apartment away from you. we are going to teach your kid how to get clean and organized. >> the accidental housewife is here for tips. the mom of a young man three weeks about to start his freshman year away. >> yes. my goal is to keep health inspectors away from his room. and everybody out there. we know the microwave and fridge will be used and abused. put sheets of paper towels in before we leave when we drop them off. when they make a mess, they'll take a sheet out and maybe it will stay a tad cleaner. maybe. >> doubtful. >> in the fridge, lots of odors. baking soda. this is a space saver. it's microfridge, one in the same. you can rent these at some schools as well as buy them.

>> it's a space saver and there are different sizes. >> and you could share with your roommates. they can fight over everything all year long. >> stinky garbage can. >> put extra bags in there and newspaper will absorb the odor. >> you put the extra bags in the bottom of that? >> i try. laundry. we know it's on the floor. we want one open. maybe they aim. you also want one that is perforated like this from the container store because no mold or mildew. again baking soda. that will keep odors away. i like ties one on there so they may use it, may. dresser drawers. they've got pesties in there. these are lavender and cedar wood drawer liners. they will keep the pests away and that is a good little things

for our kids. >> the bed is so high. >> a lot of times they let you loft in schools which is great. before we get to storage. the other thing are mattresses are a haven for dust mites. you want to get encasements. these are clean rest. they click and lock. even if there is an opening near the zipper, they can't get in. you get those at bed bath and beyond. microfiber for bedding. wrinkle resistant, stain resistant. this is from marshalls. easy and drys fast. looks good. next, storage. another big issue, the loft thing. these are from walmart.com. they roll in, roll out. you can stack them. this is from container store. these are also stackable. what i like, they close so no dirt or anything else. another great thing an ottoman. this is from sam's club.com.

you can store things, sit on it and eat at it. >> genius. >> three in one. i'm going to get one for your offices. >> thank you. >> next on the walls, you want to also, if you want put them under, put them on walls. these are command hooks. damage-free. you can hang jewelry, whatever else you want. you can use adhesive and use it on wood surfaces. last but not least, love this. this is a little desk organizer you put on your chair. >> cute. >> what's great, it's called the aussie pouch. it's a great way of taking things off the floor. my son likes to measure how long it is from one putt to the next. >> good luck to your son, by the way. >> great to see you, julie.

>> how about a food fight? madelyn fernstrom puts us to the test. hi, i'm meteorologist kim cunningham with a look at the next seven days. the story continues to be the heat, the drought for the central u.s. for the east coast, we may be seeing a few changes coming your way with some rain and cool err temperatures, too. but at least for today, expecting maybe some thunderstorms that could be severe anywhere wisconsin back towards nebraska with a front coming through, that's going to cool us down but it could bring severe storms maybe even ice lated tornadoes. look at the temperatures we're dealing with, 98 in chicago, 104 in kansas city, maybe a few record highs with this. but rainfall should be light with some of these storms coming through. that's about it. thursday with the front moving in, chicago expect temperatures to come down and we'll see the storms heading toward maybe new

york city and boston. so there could be airport delays. here are the hubs being affected. we'll see the cooldown in chicago, 88 degrees, 93 in new york until the front comes through, 97 in kansas city, feeling some relief with some of the cloud cover, maybe a little bit of rain. then there's the front, 90 in louisville, 84 beautiful degrees in chicago, 87 in new york, atlanta hoping to get some rainfall in there as well. you can see the rain probably will be light in some cases but depends on where the storms set up. we'll see some along the east coast by saturday, orlando maybe a few storms, the pacific northwest, the whole week is beautiful weather, enjoy the gorgeous weather. phoenix 104, saturday's forecast dry for commuters. 88 in chicago on sunday, cannes city 99. we continue to heat back up a little bit as the weather pattern continues to quiet down by monday, 100 in kansas city. make sure weekdays "wake up with

al" 6:00 and 10:00 a.m. with stephanie and al. we know a place where tossing and turning have given way to sleeping. where sleepless nights yield to restful sleep. and lunesta can help you get there, like it has for so many people before. when taking lunesta, don't drive or operate machinery until you feel fully awake. walking, eating, driving, or engaging in other activities while asleep, without remembering it the next day, have been reported. abnormal behaviors may include aggressiveness, agitation, hallucinations or confusion. in depressed patients, worsening of depression, including risk of suicide, may occur. alcohol may increase these risks. allergic reactions, such as tongue or throat swelling, occur rarely and may be fatal. side effects may include unpleasant taste, headache, dizziness and morning drowsiness. ask your doctor if lunesta is right for you.

then find out how to get lunesta for as low as $15 at lunesta.com. there's a land of restful sleep. we can help you go there on the wings of lunesta. it's time for madelyn's food fight. in case you've been living under a rock, the olympics start this week in london. the british love to eat nontraditional foods. >> if you're thinking of throwing a party, madelyn

fernstrom is here with the challenge to keep your menu healthy. why do we have hats on? >> we are very british, going to an event. it's fascinating. we'll start out with something very british. we'll start off with tea. true or false, tea is the official beverage of england. >> true! >> it is true. >> most tea used in england is from loose tea not tea bags. >> true. >> no. it's false. >> she missed it. >> it's only true or false. the most popular addition to tea is milk. >> true. >> you get that point. >> she hadn't gotten the question out. >> it came out. >> 1-1.

>> one of these is not part of a typical english breakfast. listen carefully. eggs, sausage, bacon, baked beans, mushrooms, fried bread or roasted potatoes. >> i'm going bacon. >> you are not right. >> baked beans. >> wrong. >> potatoes. >> it's potatoes. >> so sad. 1-1, hoda woman. >> moving on. two popular british baked goods, scones and crumpets. how many crumpets can you eat for the calories of one scone, one, three or five? >> i would say definitely three. >> you are definitely not right. >> five. >> you're right. about 100 calories for the english muffin and the scone is full of sugar and butter. a popular combination is called bangers and mash. what are bangers, sausages? >> yes, they are sausages.

>> yes. >> moving on to an alcoholic beverage. >> i'm getting this one. >> pimm's is a popular alcoholic drink. is it made from vodka, gin or bourbon. >> gin. >> you are right. >> this game is awful. >> hoda, we still have a couple more questions. >> 18-2. >> double or nothing. >> one away from a tiebreaker. bubble and squeak is another favorite. is this a fried vegetable meat patty, a pork stew or sponge cake. >> sponge cake. >> no. >> i hate this game. >> the porky thing. >> no. >> the other one. >> vegetable patty. >> fried vegetable patty. it bubbles and squeaks in the pan when you're frying it. >> we should build up. we are on our final question and

now it's double or nothing. >> you might have heard of shepard's pie, a typical british casserole. the topping is it crushed potato chips, mashed potatoes. >> mashed potatoes. >> it's mashed potatoes. >> you said crushed. >> no. i said mashed potatoes. >> the winner is -- >> the score is 5-1. >> so the winner is kathie lee >> what do you get? >> pimm's. >> the runner up gets lemon curd. >> lemon curd? next, a great, great author, emily giffin is with us with a terrific book. >> but first this is "today" on nbc.

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where sleepless nights yield to restful sleep. and lunesta can help you get there, like it has for so many people before. when taking lunesta, don't drive or operate machinery until you feel fully awake. walking, eating, driving, or engaging in other activities while asleep, without remembering it the next day, have been reported. abnormal behaviors may include aggressiveness, agitation, hallucinations or confusion. in depressed patients, worsening of depression, including risk of suicide, may occur. alcohol may increase these risks. allergic reactions, such as tongue or throat swelling, occur rarely and may be fatal. side effects may include unpleasant taste, headache, dizziness and morning drowsiness. ask your doctor if lunesta is right for you. then find out how to get lunesta for as low as $15 at lunesta.com. there's a land of restful sleep. we can help you go there on the wings of lunesta.

now on "today's sizzling summer reads," the best-selling author emily giffin is here. her first movie "something borrowed" was made into a movie starring kate hudson. >> her new book is called "where we belong," the story of two women and secrets that bind them. >> i love how you say this is your favorite. they're all the kind of books you cannot put down.

what makes this one the top? >> i think i fell in love with this character. i love the coming of age story. kirby is such a compelling character. >> where does she come from? do you base your characters on people you know or is there some of you? >> i think there is a little of me in all of them. i was intimidated to write her. she's 18, i'm 40. >> it's what you look like, not what you are. >> i just said i'm 40 on the "today" show. it's liberating. >> i love how you write your books. you say you let your mom read chapter by chapter, your aunt, your best friends who are visiting today. can we get a shot of mom in that corner right there? >> such an elegant lady. >> you let them read each chapter? >> i do. i have an inner circle of a

close friend and cousin and others. it's good to get a different perspective. >> do you change things if they think you should? >> sometimes i do change. it's more that i like to gauge the reaction how they are feeling about the characters. there's a scene in this book where the adopted mother -- the biological mother, the child comes and shows up at her door. her first reaction is to take her to barney's to shop. it's because she's nervous. but of course, you know, when you hear from a couple of your readers, that is so appallingly obnoxious that you've got to tone that down, that helps, i think. do you think that's obnoxious? >> i sort of got it when she was doing it. >> you did? i'm so glad you had empathy for her. if you did, my readers will. >> she would assume that is one thing they may have in common the love of shopping. >> of course this girl is not like that. she doesn't know her. maybe she should have had a conversation with her.

>> when your books came out, my friends and i all read them all. >> you did? >> hoda is your biggest fan. >> you picked me as your favorite thing. thank you. >> yes. >> your make-up tip was good that week. >> i'm sorry. i've been writing my own thing lately. you think you're the only author. >> my friends and i would go to the book store asking for another emily giffin book. is this going to be turned into a movie, too? >> we are in talks. i can't say the producer's name, but she is amazing and committed to telling smart, romantic comedies in this era of animation and blowing things up. >> interpersonal relationships. >> do you still have to go on book signings? >> do i have to? it is my honor and privilege. it's true though. >> you want to hear what they say to you. >> it really is true. >> we love you and want this one to be a bestseller. >> we'll take total credit for it. >> make it number one.